...Heroin Addiction Psyc 305 B-03 June 15, 2015 Abstract: This paper will serve to provide information about heroin addiction in our society. Heroin addiction is an epidemic problem in the United States and is growing every year. Factors such as genetics and environmental factors will be discussed as they relate to heroin addicts. Trends with prescription pain medication and their effects on heroin use will be discussed. This paper will also highlight the prevalence of heroin in the United States. Heroin affects different groups of people in all walks of life. Treatment for heroin will be discussed in the latter portion of this paper. This will highlight different options to fit specific needs. Addiction: a physical dependency on a substance (Doweiko, 2015), a chronic brain disease that causes compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences, (Addiction, 2015). There is no universally accepted way to define addiction. It seems that it is easier to qualify behavior as an addiction than it is to define the word itself. For the purpose of this paper we will use the four general categories of the DSM-5 to help identify and understand heroin addiction. This paper will serve to provide information about heroin addiction’s possible causes, prevalence and treatment. What causes heroin addiction? The causes of heroin addiction are not clear. As with most drugs it is thought that the user is trying to feel better or self-medicate...
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...Drug Addiction Leah Richards PSY326: Research Methods Maleka Hillsman August 27, 2012 The topic that caught my attention when I was reading my choices was “Drug Addiction”. Drug addiction is something that should not be taken lightly by anyone who has a family member or friend with this issue. We often wonder how and what make people turn into being a drug addict. “Drug addiction is rooted in long-term adaptations within the brain that promotes escalating drug use, difficulty quitting, and relapse—all despite the awareness of negative consequences.” With that being said I have always wondered what keep a person going back to their addiction and why can’t they quit. When I read the article and it mention how drug addiction is rooted a light bulb clicked in my head. When something is rooted inside of you whether it is for good or bad it is hard to break. “It was previously hypothesized that addiction was caused in part of an imbalance between an impulsive system that governs appetitive motivation and is driven by immediate rewards on the one hand and a reflective system that regulate and control impulsive according to future pleasurable or aversive consequences.” With this study they were able to predict the hypothesis and see what causes addiction to happen in some cases. I think that the method used in order to see how people become an addict was efficient and it was very precise that made the validity of the experiment a success. It is important to...
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...Drugs and technology While it is almost impossible to get an actual percentage of people affected by drug addiction, the use continues to grow. Most people will admit to trying some form of illegal drug, but addicts have a hard time even coming to grasp that they are addicted. Our society has been struggling with addiction for hundreds of years. Those affected vary in age, and are not limited to adults. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2011), there are approximately 27 million Americans today that either use illicit drugs regularly or are “heavy drinkers”. Sixteen million of these are in need of immediate treatment for their addiction problem. By the age of 18 almost 12 percent of young people in America are addicted to drugs. Statistics also show that about 70 percent of users who are employed contribute significantly to absenteeism in the work place, workplace accidents, workplace injuries, decreased productivity, increased insurance premiums, and large employee turnover and violence in the workplace. The total estimated cost to our society in America for substance abuse exceeds 250 billion dollars per year. Addiction has become prominent as one of the worst health and social problems in the United States today. (coachinginternational.com) Through the last two decades, addiction rates in the United States have increased significantly because of the advancements in Information Technology. Social networking, internet access...
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...Drug Profile Paper 5/17/16 PSY/425 Chemical Dependency in the Workplace Stacey Lederberg Explain the psychological and physiology of addiction: Simply put phycology is the understanding of human behavior and physiology is the study of the physical function of humans. In the following paragraphs I will discuss the psychological and physiological issues of addiction. According to psychologists there are a few different causes for addiction. Some people get into an addiction or harmful behavior because of an abnormality. Another reason people get into an unhealthy addiction because of the environment they are in. The last one is someone’s beliefs or thoughts create feelings that cause addiction because these feelings are not realistic. When you think about addiction there are actually quite a few definitions. This is because there are so many substances that are addictive and each one has its own disorder. Addiction can be many things from illegal drugs, prescriptions, inhalants to gambling, hoarding, sex etc. The cause of an addiction has many factors that encompass it including biological, psychological and environmental. Because humans are wired to seek out reward and avoid discomfort it makes sense that addictions pacify the seeking of pleasure and erase pain. In the brain of an addicted person drugs, alcohol or any other substance target the CNS (central nervous system). The substance causes a hostile takeover in the pain-pleasure...
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...Oxycontin research paper Oxycontin is a slow release pain medication that is often mixed with aspirin and/or other pain killers with the main ingredient called oxycodone. When used correctly the prescription drug is used to treat severe pain symptoms usually by the form of a pill. Between 2009 and 2010, a series of pop up pain clinics have been introduced to broward county florida attracting attention from people all over the country. Due to Florida being the only state to lack a prescription pill monitoring plan, those pain clinics easily became fronts for a legalized drug operation. They prescribed anyone who came through the doors oxycontin, xanax bars, percocets and any other opiates they want for cash money. The potential for profit...
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...As one prescription drug abuser in his early 20’s explained: Once people (pill brokers) know you take them prescription opioids, they’ll start calling you. “Oh, it’s this time of the month.” Then they wait for that person to get their script. They know exactly in their head what day the script’s getting ready to come so they got the patterns down. Pill brokers and dealers reported congregating in open air drug markets typically strip mall and pharmacy parking lots, and outside methadone clinics to buy, sell, and trade prescription drugs. These markets were reported to involve a variety of transactions, including the purchase of prescription drugs for cash, as well as trades for crack and heroin. Pill brokers also reported the purchase of used fentanyl patches from nurses who have stolen them from pain patients or from disposal containers in hospitals. Some individuals frequenting the drug markets also barter their oxycodone for other opioids or benzodiazepines, typically alprazolam. Doctor Shopping focus group participants indicated that even in a small state like Delaware, doctor shopping appeared to be fairly easy. The vast majority of abusers reported obtaining medications through doctor shopping, and most reported frequenting at least four physicians in order to obtain sufficient amounts of their desired medications. Occasionally clinics and hospital emergency rooms were reported as locations for doctor shopping as well. A heavy user stated: Another focus group member...
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...Prescription medication abuse James Glassman COM/172 December 22, 2011 University of Phoenix Sheila Bassoppo-Moyo, Ed.D. Prescription medication abuse In this research paper you will find that obtaining prescription medication is easier than going to find illegal drugs. Another, disturbing problem is the amount of deaths in the United States each year caused by the abuse of prescription medication. Some questions you might find yourself asking are why is this a problem, how can we resolve this problem, what are some long term effects from abuse of prescription medication, and what is the government planning to do to help resolve this issue? In recent years the abuse with prescription medications has come to a ridiculous number in the last decade across the world. I hope this paper helps you understand the significance of this worldwide problem. What is prescription medication abuse? Prescription medication abuse is when someone takes medication prescribed by doctor in a manner or dosage other than prescribed, or when someone takes prescription medication from somebody else and uses it in a manner or dosage other than prescribed (na, 2011). Abuse can include taking a friends or relatives’ prescription to get high, to relieve pain, or help with medical issue without seeing a physician. There is a reason why prescription medications are prescribed by a doctor, prescription medications are dangerous when taken with other medications or not taken properly. In many cases...
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...The Rise in Prescription Drug Abuse By: Laurie Mahaffey What is prescription drug abuse and who are the ones affected by it? Is it just young adults that are affected by prescription drug abuse or does this affect all generations? What are some of the prescription drugs that categorize this concern? What are the consequences of prescription drug abuse? What are some solutions to this problem? These questions concerning the rise in prescription drug abuse will be addressed in the following paragraphs. What is prescription drug abuse? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Prescription drug Abuse is defined as the “intentional use” of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than described; or for the experience or feeling it causes. This means that there are three circumstances that pertain to abuse of prescription drug abuse. First, let’s look at “intentional use” without a prescription. It is a federal offense to give or sell prescription medication to someone other than who it is prescribed to. Reading the side label tells you, that “FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS THE TRANSFER OF THIS DRUG TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE PATIENT FOR WHOM IT WAS PRESCRIBED.” One reason shown for taking someone else’s prescription was “if a Dr. prescribes, than naturally safe.” This reason is also true in why some people hand out their own medication. If it’s okay for them, it won’t hurt someone else. Second reason for what defines abuse, using in a way other than...
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...Prescription Opioids Deanna Pannell Aurora University One of the growing problems in America is the abuse of prescription opioids. In the past 10 years, the misuse of prescribed opioids has gone out of control, making it a national issue that many people are attempting to attack. Prescription opioid use is increasing in public health, creating an epidemic that is growing rapidly. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse: opiates, depressants, and stimulants are the three drug classifications most commonly abused by Americans. A multitude of research on the subject has concluded that there is more than a single solution to the problem, such as taking immediate action as well as creating prevention strategies. I decided to do additional research on this topic since it plays a huge part in my career as well as personal life. Being a substance abuse counselor in the criminal justice field, I experience first-hand the effects of prescription opioid abuse. A large number of client’s participating in the TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities) are dealing with prescription opioid abuse due to an injury or surgical procedure. On April 25, 2015, my first cousin died from a heroin overdose at the age of 23. After a football injury, he was prescribed Hydrocodone and became addicted. Since the pills are too expensive, he began using heroin and his battle ended 5 years later. In 2009, 16 million Americans age 12 and older reported taking a prescription pain reliever...
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...Alcohol and Drug Addiction Liberty University Abstract This paper is a reflection of addiction in the United States and the statistics that prove addiction is a major issue within the country. Discussed in the paper will be first the primary causes of addiction and risk factors that may lead to an addiction in an individual. Going further into the problem, the cycle of addiction and how to break free of the cycle and an individual’s addiction is talked about. Since there are different drugs that can cause addiction, a breakdown of certain drugs is given. These drugs include alcohol, prescription drugs, heroin, and marijuana. Next, the side effects of drug addiction to the drugs chosen are described in depth as well as the signs that can be viewed in screening for drug addiction. Resources available to drug addiction are touched on and treatment options to explore what can be done if an individual does suffer from drug addiction. Finally, what human service professionals are doing to assist individuals who are addicted and how they can improve on training to ensure that addiction can be caught early enough to make a difference? Introduction to Drug Addiction Addiction is a chronic disease of brain reward, motivation and memory in individuals who submit to any number of different drugs available to them. Such chronic need for the drugs leads to manifestations biologically, psychologically, spiritually and even socially in any given individual (ASAM, 2014). These, however...
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...Drug Addiction – A community problem Chad L. Salyer In this paper I will be discussing the growing drug problem in our communities and the approach that will be used to alleviate the problem. Drug abuse has been a continuing problem in our communities and is rising at an alarming rate. It has been spreading at such a rate that it is no longer isolated in poor, middle class or upper class areas. Prescription drug abuse and heroine has become the most common forms of drugs being used by addicts and is not only a serious health problem, but is also a problem that effects the entire community. For this study I will be focusing on the individual addict and then the environment in which they live. Though there are many prevention programs that exist, it seems that prevention and Law Enforcement are not able to slow or stop the problem. Drug abuse is rising at an alarming rate and is certainly not prejudice as to who becomes a drug addict. So how can we possibly combat a problem that seems immune to all the efforts that has been brought fourth? I believe the approach should begin with the individual and changing one’s habitual thinking. Education is key to not only prevention but to those already addicted to drugs. The main research question I am exploring is if the environment plays a significant role in the cause of drug addiction. It seems that not only prescription drugs, but also illegal drugs...
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...New Crisis In 1980, a letter printed in the New England Journal of Medicine would start to change everything. The letter insisted that addiction to these new drugs was rare, especially in those with no prior history of addiction. Slowly, physicians started prescribing more and more synthetic opioids to their patients, especially those looking to avoid riskier orthopedic surgeries for their chronic pain and those suffering from terminal illnesses. Medical professionals were able to feel good about their ability to help their patients avoid surgery and help them effectively (some for the first time) manage chronic pain. In the 90s, everything changed. There was a swift shift (fueled in a big way by pharmaceutical companies) away from the tentative, opioid-shy opinions of past medical professionals. A new way of thinking emerged in which managing pain became the first focus of treatment. The pain scale illustrations that we have all seen in countless doctor’s offices were produced and used as a first line of questioning in all emergency rooms, urgent care facilities, and doctor’s offices. OxyContin, thought by many to be the drug that started it all in regards to the current opioid...
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...Vulnerable Populations in the Workplace Project Patricia Lawson NUR/440-Health Assessment and Promotion for Vulnerable Populations April 11, 2011 Sheila de Vaugh, APRN, BC CBS Evening News correspondent Ben Tracy reported on April 6, 2011 that teenage drinking and drug use has increased by 22% and that 71% of all teenagers have had a drink of alcohol before finishing high school. Most teenagers believe that smoking marijuana is not a big deal and that parents and society opposed cigarette smoking more (Tracy, 2011). Celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy, and Anna Nicole Smith overshadow the issue of prescription drug abuse when every day people are experiencing the same outcomes. Emergency room (ER) nurses are the frontline in treatment of individuals suffering from addiction, withdrawal, and overdose. Still, many doctors and nurses have become hardened because of the belief that patients are drug seeking, which leads to poor management of pain and increased disparity accessing health care. In this paper I will present demographics on prescription drug abuse, issues of cultural competence and sensitivity, and strategies nurses can use to alleviate health consequences for this vulnerable group. Finally, I will conclude by presenting a brochure that ER nurses can use to identify patients at risk for substance abuse and to assess for early referral to treatment. Consequently, looking at the big picture can help health care providers...
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...In this paper I will be discussing the growing drug problem in our communities and the approach that will be used to alleviate the problem. Drug abuse has been a continuing problem in our communities and is rising at an alarming rate. It has been spreading at such a rate that it is no longer isolated in poor, middle class or upper class areas. Prescription drug abuse and heroine has become the most common forms of drugs being used by addicts and is not only a serious health problem, but is also a problem that effects the entire community. For this study I will be focusing on the individual addict and then the environment in which they live. Though there are many prevention programs that exist, it seems that prevention and Law Enforcement are not able to slow or stop the problem. Drug abuse is rising at an alarming rate and is certainly not prejudice as to who becomes a drug addict. So how can we possibly combat a problem that seems immune to all the efforts that has been brought fourth? I believe the approach should begin with the individual and changing one’s habitual thinking. Education is key to not only prevention but to those already addicted to drugs. The main research question I am exploring is if the environment plays a significant role in the cause of drug addiction. It seems that not only prescription drugs, but also illegal drugs have become more readily accessible to anyone that chooses to want them. Though there are very tough laws...
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...Adams is on the record stating,"The call to action is to … keep within reach, know how to use naloxone.” on NPR’s Morning Edition. By issuing this advisory for more people to become familiar with the overdose-reversing drug Naloxone, the Surgeon General is acknowledging the fact that in many parts of the country use of Naloxone by first responders has become as ubiquitous as providing CPR. When considering pseudoscience, particularly C.P Snow’s focus the “gulf of mutual incomprehension” between the humanities and sciences, there is no better current example than how pharmaceutical marketing lead to the misinformation about opioid addictiveness, overprescription opioids, and...
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